What is Disk Initialization?
Every file system like NTFS, APFS, exFAT or FAT32 should consist at least a partition in order to perform basic storage operations. Every partition consists of a partition table which contains information on partitions, file system, and how to data is stored in the partition.
The process of creating a partition table using Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT) is called Disk Initialization. Usually when the hard disk is not initialized access is denied to the residing data. The following article emphasizes on how to recover your data when your hard-drive is an uninitialized disk.
Table of Content
- Recover data from uninitialized disk on Windows/ Mac
- How to perform Disk initialization on Windows/ Mac
Before we move ahead with recovery process, let us understand the causes of hard-disk being uninitialized firstly in the below section
Why is my Hard-Disk Uninitialized?
- Disk Clean has been performed and you have lost on your data residing on the hard disk
- New Hard Disk are uninitialized, and you will need to create disk partition
- Corruption or damage in the partition table (MBR or GPT)
- Operating system corruption can lead to an uninitialized disk and lead to data loss
- Accidental Formatting of your operating system causes uninitialized disk
The above-listed are the causes for uninitialized Disk, the section below you will learn how to recover data and initialize the disk.
Note - Before implementing disk initialization, we recommend you to recover data from the hard disk and go ahead with the initialization
As you have understood in the write-up disk initialization is a risky process and causes permanent data loss on the residing files on your operating system. Trying to use your uninitialized disk will even hinder the recovery process of your operating system. Hence, we recommend you to primarily recover your data from the uninitialized disk. Download Remo Recover Windows or Mac to effectively restore your lost or deleted files from the uninitialized disk
How to Recover Data from Uninitialized Disks for Windows
Remo hard drive recovery software is the perfect data recovery software that can achieve data recovery from uninitialized hard drives on your Windows / Mac PC. Check out the next section for more useful features which are offered by this application.
- Launch the tool, you will have three options- Recover Files, Recover Photos and Recover Partitions.
- Click on Recover Partitions, select the drive from which you want to recover data and click on Scan.
- After completion of the scanning process, recovered hard drive data will be displayed in Data View and File Type View
- Preview the recovered data to check success rate of hard drive data recovery
- Save recovery session to rule out the need to rescan drive
- If you are satisfied with recovered hard drive data, activate the software and Save the recovered data on to desired location
Recover Data from Uninitialized Disks on Mac
- Download Remo Mac hard drive recovery tool and Launch the tool, click on Recover Volumes or Drives, in the next screen click on Volume Recovery
- Select the Mac drive or volume from which you want to recover data and click on next
- In the next screen you can choose between standard scan and advanced scan. Select advanced Scan to recover mac volumes
- Select the file types you want to recover from the Mac hard drive and click on next to scan process
- After completion of the scanning process, the tool displays the recoverable data from Mac drive in data view and file type view
- Preview the recovered Mac data. If you are satisfied with Mac data recovery, activate the tool and save the recovered data to the desired location.
How to Perform Disk Initialization in Windows
Format Uninitialized Disk on Windows after performing your recovery of your disk. Follow the listed steps to achieve disk initialization on Windows
- Go to Disk Management.
- Right-click onto your uninitialized disk and click the Initialize Disk option.
- Choose your preferred partition style (GPT is the best choice unless you’re worried about compatibility with older computers) and click OK.
Once you have implemented the above-listed method, the disk initialization process will create a new partition table. You will be able to create one or more partitions depending on your necessity.
How to perform Disk initialization on Mac
Start the uninitialized hard drive Mac and follow the below listed procedure to achieve the disk initialization
- Open the Disk Utility which is located within the Utilities folder.
- Select the drive which you wish to initialize on the left.
- Click on the Partition tab.
- Click Options and select the partition scheme and go to GUID (GPT), Apple Partition Map, or Master Boot Record (MBR). Click OK.
- Choose the partition layout, enter the desired size of the partition(s), and rename the partition(s) if desired.
- Choose the drive format. Mac OS Extended (Journaled), Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled), MS-DOS (FAT), or ExFAT according to your preferences and click Apply
Remo Recover (Windows/Mac) Pro Edition presents :
- Remo Recover can efforlessly recover data from uninitialized disk on mac
- It is compatible with all standard file systems such as FAT32, NTFS, APFS and exFAT.
- the tool can also recover data from a failed logical drive
FAQ
How do I initialize a disk without losing data?
Disk initialization is a risky process as it is prone to recreate a new partition table. In order to edge the risk of data loss, you should take complete disk backup before going ahead with disk initialization or you will need a reliable data recovery tool to restore your data
Does implementing CHKDSK operation fix an uninitialized disk?
No, CHKDSK operations need a file system and partition table to be implemented. Hence, it is not possible to use command keys to fix an uninitialized disk
Which one is better? MBR or GPT?
Both Master boot record as well as GUID partition table can boot your operating system, it is your choice as you see fit to know more about the difference between MBR and GPT, click here